The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, historically the heartland of the ancient Silk Road, has long bridged China with Central Asia and Europe.

Its unique position linking the East and the West has provided a strong foundation for regional growth. In recent years, under the Belt and Road Initiative, Xinjiang has made significant strides in foreign trade, industrial growth and cultural exchange by capitalizing on its role as a pivotal hub.

As the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang has undergone a historic shift from an inland hinterland to a front line of opening-up. Leveraging its geographic advantages under the BRI, the region has rapidly transformed into a key hub for cross-border trade. A sprawling network of expressways and railways now connects Xinjiang closely with Central Asia and Europe, while high-standard industrial parks and development zones have emerged throughout the region. The China-Europe Railway Express trains departing from Urumqi International Land Port have become a visible symbol of dynamic global logistics corridors.

Before 2012, freight train traffic through Xinjiang was sparse. Since then, with the continued advancement of the BRI, the region has witnessed a steady expansion of China-Europe rail traffic. In 2024, Xinjiang handled a record 16,400 China-Europe freight trips, marking a 14 percent year-on-year increase. These routes have significantly shortened freight times between China and Europe, injecting new momentum into global trade flows.

Serving as a strategic bridgehead for China’s westward opening-up, Xinjiang has actively deepened exchanges and cooperation with the Belt and Road countries. Guided by a win-win philosophy, the region has established institutional cooperation mechanisms and developed key platforms — ranging from pilot free trade zones to the........

© Pakistan Observer